Bleak Futures Fuel Widespread Protests by Young Colombians 

BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA - Thousands of young people and college students have been at the forefront of Colombia's anti-government protests for more than two weeks, armed with improvised shields made from garbage cans and umbrellas.

They have taken the brunt of the tear gas and gunshots from security forces, and dozens have paid for it with their lives. The young men and women have become the voices for Colombians fed up with a government they say has mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic and crushed hopes for a better future. "To a large extent, we found that there was no fear of death. Sometimes it is the only thing that remains when the system is starving us and there are no opportunities," said Yonny Rojas, 36, a law student who also runs soup kitchens in one of the poorest areas of Cali, the city where the government response has been especially violent.